Fluid mixing device



1.. E. BOWMAN 3, ,760

FLUID MIXING DEVICE Oct. 13, 1964 Filed July 24, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 /0a INVENTOR. HOT cow LAWRENCE 5 BOWMAN 2- -3 I jam ZMWM /s7 AT TORNEV L. E. BOWMAN FLUID MIXING DEVICE Oct. 13, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 24, 1965 INVENTOR LAWRENCE BOWMAN United States Patent 3,152,760 Fawn MHXENG DEVICE Lawrence E. Eon/man, Warwick, Rl, assignor to Leonard This invention relates to a device for mixing streams of fluid at different temperatures to produce a fluid mixture at a constant predetermined temperautre; the mixture temperature being determined by a thermally sensitive unit which is housed within the device and which adjusts a valve for varying the relative proportions of the fluid streams fed into the device and mixed together.

An object of the present invention is to provide a construction whereby the handle which selectively positions the thermally sensitive unit, and thereby determines the water temperature, also controls the flow and shut-off of the supply streams of water.

Another object of the present invention is to enable the valve to be dismantled from a housing fixed in a wall for factory servicing and replacement, and be reassembled in the housing quickly and easily by an ordinary mechanic.

A further object of the present invention is to ensure that when the valve is being reassembled in the housing, it cannot be fitted incorrectly.

Still another object of the present invention is to ensure that during the reassembling operations, the factory setting of the thermally sensitive unit is not disturbed inadvertently.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a temperature control and shut-off valve which prevents scalding hot water from initially emitting from the valve when the valve is turned to on position.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent in part and be pointed out in part in the following 7 specification and claims.

Referring to the drawings, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts in all the views:

FIGURE 1 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon the centerline of the new and improved fluid mixing device.

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of the housing.

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the valve mechanism and the thermally sensitive unit with the valve mechanism in supply stream shut off position.

FIGURE 4 is a View similar to FIGURE 3 with the valve mechanism in supply stream flow position.

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the housing.

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary sectional view through the shut-off valve mechanism.

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of the control handle and control handle stops. 7 f FIGURE 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the thermally sensitive fluid control valve. 7

The present invention is an improvement over US.

' Patent Number 3,061,195 dated October 30, .1962 which issued to Lawrence E. Bowman, for a Fluid Mixing Device.

The present fluid mixing device consists of two'parts, a housing, generally indicated by reference chmacter 11 and the valve mechanism or control'unit, generally indicated ing 11 consisting of a cup-shaped base 1 having an up- 7 standing side 30 flanged to provide a seat 31. Base 1 Ice is provided with two co-axial and diametrically opposed inlets, generally indicated at 2 and 3, and a mixture discharge outlet 4. As illustrated, the axis of the outlet 4 is located at right angles to the axis of the inlets 2 and 3.

Upstanding side forms a chamber 20. At the bottom of chamber 20 and in cup-shaped base 11, two flanged seats 22, 23 are provided. Inlet 2 consists of a passageway 15 connected to a port 25, located in flanged seat 22, and in communication with chamber 26. Inlet 3 consists of a passageway 16 connected to a port 28, located in flanged seat 23, and in communication with chamber 29. Passageways 15 and 16 for supply streams and the mixed stream outlet 4 may be tapped, so that a hot water supply pipe (not shown) may be connected into' inlet 2 and a cold Water supply pipe (not shown) may be connected into inlet 3. A discharge pipe (not shown) may be connected to mixed discharge outlet 4-. Seat 31 may be provided with a plurality of tapped holes 32.

In this manner a housing 11 is provided which may be permanently fixed or installed in a bath room or shower stall wall (not shown).

Control unit 12 (see FIGURES 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7) consists of a cup-shaped cover 40 provided with a flange seat 41 and a centrally located boss 42 axially bored to form a bearing43 for purposes which will presently appear. Flange seat 41 is provided with a plurality of screw holes 44 which align with tapped holes 32, whereby screws 45 fasten flange seat 41 to flanged seat 31 to unite cup shaped cover 40 with housing 11. Cup shaped cover 40, forms a fluid mixing chamber 40A, which uniteswith chamber as when cup shaped cover 40 is fastened to housing 11.

A spindle or control rod 51 provided with grooves 52, 53, a'shoulder 54, a circular recess 55, a long lead (double stub acme) thread 56, a bearing 57 and a threaded end 58, is rotatively mounted in bearing 43 with 0 rings 60,

61 located in grooves 52, 53 to form a fluid tight seal in cooperation with bearing 43.

v A collar 62 provided with a shoulder 62A is located on spindle 51 with one end of collar 62 abutting shoulder 54. Means, such as a set screw 65 may beused to fasten collar 62 to spindle 51. A valve actuating member 63 is located on spindle 51 for free rotation thereon and is held in position by means of a snap ring 66 placed in circular recess 55. Valve actuating member 63 is provided with a depending arm having a projection 81 provided with a ball socket 82.

A bimetallic element, generally indicated by reference character B, is provided in the form of a bimetal strip wound in a coil, starting at the core end and rotating clockwise, outwardly, until a predetermined diameter is reached. The other end of the bimetal strip is wound, starting at a core, in a counter-clock wise direction, until a second coil of approximately the same diameter. is reached, thereby providing two coils 75, 76 having a common connecting strip or cross over 77. The inner or core end of coil 75 is secured to collar 62 through the medium of slot 78. The inner or core end of coil 76 is Spindle 51 is provided with a circular projection 85. A bridge 86 having a boss 87, is provided with an axial bore 88. Axial bore 88 is positioned upon bearing 57 abutting circular projection 85. A nut 90 and a lock nut 91 rotatively mounted upon threaded end 58 fasten bridge 86 tothe end of spindle 51". In this manner bridge 86 rotatively supports spindle 51, as will more fully hereinafter appear.

A hot water port sleeve holder 90 is provided externally with a screw thread 91 on a reduced end portion which secured to driving lever 63 through the medium of slots forms an abutment 92; and axially with a hotwater passageway'93 having a circular shoulder 94. Hot water port sleeve holder 91? is fastened to bridge 86 with screw thread 91 located in and projecting beyond orifice 95 in bridge 86. A hot water port holder nut 96 having an O ring 97 in the outer surface is'provided axially with a hot water passageway 98 having a-screwthread99. Hot Water port holder nut $6 through the matingof screw threads 91 and 9? fastens hot Water port sleeve'hol'der 9d to-bridge 86 with hot water passageway 98 aligned with hot water passageway 93. A valve seat 1111) 'is'provided in the end of'hot water port'nut 96.

Similarly, a cold water'port sleeve'holder 101 is provided externally with a screw thread 1(i2-on a'reduced end-portion which forms an abutment 1113; and axially with a cold Water passageway 104 having a circular shoulder 1115. Cold water port sleeve holder 161 is fastened to bridge 86 with screwthreads 102 located in and projecting beyond orifice 11W in bridge 36. A cold water port holder nut 108 having an O ring 1119 inthe outersurface is provided axially with a cold water, passageway'11tl having a screw thread 111. Cold water port holder nut'1'08 through the mating of screw threads 1412 and 111 fastens cold water port sleeve holder 1131 to bridge 86 with cold water passageway 104 aligned with cold water passageway 11%). A valve seat 112 is provided in the end of cold water port nut 108.

A valve sleeve 115 .(see FIGURE 8) is provided with a hot water axial orifice 1'16 and a cold water axial orifice 117 separated by a medial wall 118. A plurality of hot Water ports 12% are located in valve sleeve 115 and communicate with axial orifice 116. A plurality of cold Water ports 121 are located in valve sleeve 115 and communicate with axial orifice 117. Valve sleeve 115 (see FIGURE 6) is fastened on opposite ends respectively, in hot Water port sleeve holder 90 and in cold water port sleeve holder 1111 with hotwater axial orifice 116 in communication with hot water passageway '93 and with cold Water axial orifice 117- in communication with cold water passageway 1'04. i

A thimble123 (see FIGURES 6 and 8) provided with a ball shaped projection "124 is slidably mounted upon valve sleeve 115 with ball shaped projection 124 in en gagement with ball socket '82. I

A yoke 125 is provided axiallywithlong lead threads which mate with long lead threads 56. In this manner the rotation of spindle '51 causes yoke 125 to move backward and forward upon spindle '51.

A hot water valve stem generally indicated at 1311, and having a head 131 and a bodyportion 132 is provided with an ring 133in the head 131. One end of hot Water valve stem 13th is fastened to yoke 125, as by means of a force fit, with head 131 slidably mounted in hot water passageway 93. Head 131 is limited in one direction of sliding movementby hitting circular shoulder 94. portion 132 is reduced in size to permit the flow of hot water through hot water passageway $3. The other end of hot water valve stem 130 is threaded to receive a screw 137 which fastens a fluid tight packing 135, backed up by a Washer-136, totheend thereof.

A cold water valvestem generally indicated at 145 and having a head 141 and a body portion 142 is provided with an '0 ring 143 in the head 141. One end of hot water valve stem 1% is fastened to yoke 125, as by means of a force fit with head 141 slidably mounted in cold water passageway 104. Head 141 is limited in one direc- Body tion of sliding movementby hitting circular shoulder 195. Body portion 142 is'reduced in size to permit the flow of cold water'throu'gh cold water passageway 1114. The other end of cold water valve stem 14-11 is threaded to receive a screw 147 which fastens a fluid tight packing beyond cover 40, by means of screw 149 and washer 148. Cover 49 on the top surface thereof, is provided with a projection 153. Handle 159 is limited in rotational movement by the engagement of stop lug 152 with projection 153 for reasons which will presently appear. Handle 15% through screw 149 fastens spindle 51 to cover 40.

It will now be apparent that the fluid mixing device consists of a housing 11 and a separate control unit 12. Control unit 12 is united with housing 11 by the placing of hot water port holder nut 96 in port 25, simultaneously, with the placing of cold water port holder nut 108 in port 28, with bridge 86 in engagement with flanged seats 22 and 2S. Flanged seats 31, 41 engage and are fastened together by means of screws 45.

Hot water port holder nut 96. provided with valve seat 1111 and hot water valve stem 131? provided with fluid tight packing 135, constitute a hot water shut-off valve, generally indicated by reference character H. Similarly, cold Water port holder nut 1% provided with valve seat 112 and cold water valve stem 143 provided with fluid tight packing 145, constitute a cold water shut-0d valve, generally indicated by reference character C.

Hot water port sleeve holder 96 and hot water port holder nut 96 combine to provide a hot water passageway 93, 93 leading from passageway 15 tohot water axial orifice 116. Similarly, cold waterport sleeve holder 191 and cold water holder nut 1113 combine to provide a cold water passageway 113 i, 1111 leading from passageway 16 to cold water axial orifice 117.

FlGURE 3 shows the valves closed. FIGURES 1, 4 and 6 shows the valves open. The operation and control of the fluid mixing device in general and the changing of the valves from closed to open position in particular, is asfollows:

Handle 15% is factory set in closed position. Valves H and 'C are closed. Thimble 123 p0siti0ned upon valve sleeve with cold water ports 121 open and with hot water ports closed or'covered by thimble123. Thimble 123 is under the influence of the bimetallic element B which in turn is under control of handle 150.

As handle 1511 is turned from closed to open position, spindle or control rod '51 is rotated whereby yoke through long lead thread 56 is moved in the direction of arrow A from closed to open position. Instantaneously, hotwater in passageway 15 will flow through hot Water passageways 98 and 93 into hot water axial orifice 115, where thimble 123 willblock the how of the hot water through hot water ports 120 into chamber 20.

' Simultaneously, cold water in passageway 16 will flow that thepresent fluid mixing device prevents hot water from scalding a person using a shower to which this device is attached. v

As handle 15!} is rotated from closed to open position; it is further rotated to aselected position indicating the temperature of the water desired at the shower nozzle or at outlet 4. This continued movement of handle 151 through the bimetallic element 76' will, shift thirnble 1123 upon valve sleeve115 to partially or wholly unblock hot water ports 120, and partially or-wholly block cold water ports 121. .Cold water and hot water will thereby gain entrance to chamber 20where the temperature of the waterin-chamber 20 will surround and actuate bimetallic element 7 5 whereby valve actuating member63 will slide thirnble 123 upon valve sleeve 115 and in selected posi: tion over hot water ports 12% and cold waterports'121.

When handle 15tlis turned in a reverse direction the Water temperature will drop and spindle 51 through long leadthre'ads 56 and yol e125 will cause valve stems to move in a direction opposite to arrow A thereby to seat fluid tight packing 135, 145 against the, respective, valve seats 100, 112 to close valves H and C and shut OK the flow of water from passageways and 16.

It will therefore be noted that one handle (150) serves the dual function of controlling the temperature of the water flowing through the fluid mixing device and it controls the valves admitting or excluding the water supply to the fluid mixing device.

Having shown and described a preferred embodiment of the present invention by way of example, it should be realized that structural changes could be made and other examples given without departing from either the spirit or scope of this invention.

What I claim is:

1. A fluid mixing device comprising a housing and a control unit, said housing consisting of a base provided with a cold Water inlet, a chamber, a hot water inlet, and a mixture discharge outlet, said control unit consisting of a cover having a water mixing chamber, a spindle rotatively mounted in said cover, a bimetallic temperature responsive element consisting of two attached coils located in said water mixing chamber, means securing an end of one coil of said bimetallic temperature responsive element to said spindle, a valve actuating member mounted for independent rotation upon said spindle, means securing an end of the other of said two attached coils of said bimetallic temperature responsive element to said valve actuating member, a bridge, means securing said bridge to said spindle, a hot water port sleeve holder, a cold water port sleeve holder, means fastening both said hot water port sleeve holder and said cold water port sleeve holder to said bridge, a valve sleeve fixed on opposite ends, respectively, in said hot water port sleeve holder and in said cold water port sleeve holder, a thirnble slidably mounted upon said valve sleeve, means connecting said thirnble to said valve actuating member, a yoke, means provided on said spindle for slidably moving said yoke back and forth upon said spindle, a hot water valve stem, a cold water valve stem, means fastening both said hot water valve stem and said cold Water valve stem to said yoke, said hot water valve stem slidably mounted in said hot water port sleeve holder, said cold water valve stem slidably mounted in said cold Water port sleeve holder, means between said hot water port sleeve holder and said hot water valve stem providing a hot water shut oif valve, means between said cold water port sleeve holder and said cold water valve stem providing a cold water shut ofl valve, means removably attaching said cover to said housing and said chamber with said water mixing chamber and with said hot water shut ofi valve in said hot water inlet and with said cold Water shut off valve in said cold water inlet.

2. A fluid mixing device comprising a housing and a control unit, said housing consisting of a cup-shaped base having an upstanding side provided with a cover mating surface, a hot water flanged seat provided with a hot Water port, a cold water flanged seat provided with a cold water port, a'hot water passageway inlet, a cold water passageway inlet, a chamber formed by said upstanding side, and a mixture discharge outlet, said control unit consisting of a cover having a water mixing chamber, a spindle rotatively mounted in said cover, a bimetallic temperature responsive element consisting of two attached coils located in said water mixing chamber, means securing an end of one of said two attached coils to said spindle, a valve actuating member, mounted for independent rotation upon said spindle, means securing an end of the other of said two coils to said valve actuating member, a bridge means securing said bridge to said spindle, a hot water port sleeve holder fixed to said bridge, a cold water port sleeve holder fixed to said bridge, a valve sleeve fixed on opposite ends, respectively, in said hot water port sleeve holder and in said cold water port sleeve holder, a thirnble slidably mounted upon said valve sleeve, means connecting said thimble to said valve actuating member, a yoke, means provided on said spindle for slidably moving said yoke back and forth, a hot water valve stem fixed to said yoke, a cold water valve stem fixed to said yoke, said hot water valve stem slidably mounted in said hot water port sleeve holder to provide a hot water shut-01f valve, said cold water valve stem slidably mounted in said cold water port sleeve holder to provide -a cold water shut-off valve, means removably attaching said cover to said cover mating surface with said chamber forming part of said water mixing chamber, and with said hot water shut-off valve located in said hot water port and said cold water shut-01f valve located in said cold water port, whereby rotation of said spindle actuates both said hot water and cold water shutoif valves and one of said two attached coils.

3. A fluid mixing device comprising a housing and a control unit, said housing consisting of a base having an upstanding side provided with a cover mating surface, a hot water flanged seat provided with a hot water port, a cold water flanged seat provided with a cold water-port, a hot water passageway inlet, a cold water passageway inlet, a chamber formed by said upstanding side, and a mixture discharge outlet, said control unit consisting of a cover having a water mixing chamber, a spindle provided with a long lead thread rotatively mounted in said cover, a bimetallic temperature responsive element consisting of two attached coils located in said Water mixing chamber, means securing an end of one of said two attached coils to said spindle, a valve actuating member, means mounting said valve actuating member for independent rotation upon said spindle, means securing an end of the other of said two coils to said valve actuating member, a bridge, means fastening said bridge to said spindle, a hot water port sleeve holder fixed to said bridge, a cold water port sleeve holder fixed to said bridge, a valve sleeve fixed on opposite ends, respectively, in said hot Water port sleeve holder and in said cold water port sleeve holder, a thirnble slidably mounted upon said valve sleeve, means connecting said thimble to said valve actuating member, a yoke provided with a long lead thread, said yoke slidably mounted upon said spindle through the mating of the long lead thread on said yoke with the long lead thread on said spindle, a hot water valve stem fixed to said yoke and slid ably mounted in said hot water port sleeve holder to provide a hot water shut-01f valve, a cold water valve stem fixed to said yoke and slidably mounted in said cold water port sleeve holder to provide a cold water shut-off valve, and means removably attaching said cover to said cover mating surface with said chamber united with said water mixing chamber and with said hot water shut-off valve located in said hot water port and said cold water shut-oil valve located in said cold water port whereby rotation of said spindle actuates both said hot water and cold water shut-off valves and one of said two attached coils.

4. A fluid mixing device comprising a housing and a control unit, said housing consisting of a base having an upstanding side provided with a cover mating surface, a hot water passageway, a hot water flanged seat provided with a hot Water port in communication with said hot water passageway, a cold water passageway, a cold water flanged seat provided with a cold water port in communi cation with said cold water passageway, a chamber formed by said upstanding side, and a mixture discharge outlet in communication with said chamber, said control unit consisting of a cover having a water mixing chamber, a spindle, provided with .a long lead thread, rotatively mounted in said cover, a bimetallic temperature responsive element consisting of two attached coils located in said water mixing chamber, means securing an end of one of said two attached coils to said spindle, a valve actuating -member, means mounting said valve actuating member for independent rotation upon said spindle, means securing an end of the other of said two coils to said valve actuating member, a bridge, means fastening said bridge to said spindle, a hot water port sleeve holder fixed to said bridge and provided with a valve seat, a cold water port sleeve'holder fixed to said bridge and provided with a valve seat, a valve sleeve fixed on opposite ends, respectively, in said hot water port sleeve holder and in said cold water port sleeve holder, a thimble slidably mounted up on said valve sleeve, means connecting "said thimble to said valve actuating member, a yoke provided with a long lead thread, said yokeslidably mounted upon said spindle through the mating of the long lead thread on said yoke with the long lead thread on said spindle, a hot water valve stem provided with'a fluid tight packing, fixed to said yoke and sli'dably mounted in said hot water port sleeve holdensaid first mentioned valve seat and said first mentioned fluid tight packing providing a hot water shutoiT valve, a cold water valve stem, provided with a fluid tight-packing, fixed to' sai'd yoke and slidably'mounted in said cold water port sleeve holder, said second mentioned valve seat and said second mentioned fiuid tight-packing providing a cold water shut-E valve, and means removably attaching said cover to said cover mating surface with said chamber united with said Water mixing chamber and with said first mentioned shut-off valve located in said hot Waterpo'rt and said second mentioned shut-ofivalve located in said cold Water port,'whereby rotation of said spindle 'a'ctuates bothsaid first and second mentioned shutofi valves and the coil attached to said spindle.

5. A fluid'mixing device comprising a housing and a control unit, said housing consisting of a base having an upstanding side provided with a cover mating surface, a'

, spindle through the mating of the thread on the yoke with the thread on said spindle, a hot water shut-01f valve m'eans, located in said hot water port, actuated by said yoke, 21 cold Water shutoff valve-means,located in said cold water port, actuated by said yoke, a valve sleeve fixed on opposite ends, respectively, in 'said'hot water shut-off valve means and in said cold water shut-off valve means, a thimble slidably mounted upon said valve sleeve, means connecting said thimble to said valve actuating member, and means attaching said cover to said cover mating surface with said chamber united with said water mixing chamber, whereby rotation of said spindle actuates' said yoke and the coil attached to said spindle.

6. A fluid mixing device as -defined in claim 5 wherein said cover is provided with a-projection, a handle having a pointer and a step lug, and means fastening said handle to said spindle, wherein rotation of said handle rotates said spindle with said stop lug engaging said projection to limit rotation of said handle andsaid spindle.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. A FLUID MIXING DEVICE COMPRISING A HOUSING AND A CONTROL UNIT, SAID HOUSING CONSISTING OF A BASE PROVIDED WITH A COLD WATER INLET, A CHAMBER A HOT WATER INLET, AND A MIXTURE DISCHARGE OUTLET, SAID CONTROL UNIT CONSISTING OF A COVER HAVING A WATER MIXING CHAMBER, A SPINDLE ROTATIVELY MOUNTED IN SAID COVER, A BIMETALLIC TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE ELEMENT CONSISTING OF TWO ATTACHED COILS LOCATED IN SAID WATER MIXING CHAMBER, MEANS SECURING AN END OF ONE COIL OF SAID BIMETALLIC TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE ELEMENT TO SAID SPINDLE, A VALVE ACTUATING MEMBER MOUNTED FOR INDEPENDENT ROTATION UPON SAID SPINDLE, MEANS SECURING AN END OF THE OTHER OF SAID TWO ATTACHED COILS OF SAID BIMETALLIC TEMPERATURE RESPONSIVE ELEMENT TO SAID VALVE ACTUATING MEMBER, A BRIDGE, MEANS SECURING SAID BRIDGE TO SAID SPINDLE, A HOT WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER, A COLD WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER, MEANS FASTENING BOTH SAID HOT WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER AND SAID COLD WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER TO SAID BRIDGE, A VALVE SLEEVE FIXED ON OPPOSITE ENDS, RESPECTIVELY, IN SAID HOT WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER AND IN SAID COLD WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER, A THIMBLE SLIDABLY MOUNTED UPON SAID VALVE SLEEVE, MEANS CONNECTING SAID THIMBLE TO SAID VALVE ACTUATING MEMBER, A YOKE, MEANS PROVIDED ON SAID SPINDLE FOR SLIDABLY MOVING SAID YOKE BACK AND FORTH UPON SAID SPINDLE, A HOT WATER VALVE STEM, A COLD WATER VALVE STEM, MEANS FASTENING BOTH SAID HOT WATER VALVE STEM AND SAID COLD WATER VALVE STEM TO SAID YOKE, SAID HOT WATER VALVE STEM SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID HOT WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER, SAID COLD WATER VALVE STEM SLIDABLY MOUNTED IN SAID COLD WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER, MEANS BETWEEN SAID HOT WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER AND SAID HOT WATER VALVE STEM PROVIDING A HOT WATER SHUT OFF VALVE, MEANS BETWEEN SAID COLD WATER PORT SLEEVE HOLDER AND SAID COLD WATER VALVE STEM PROVIDING A COLD WATER SHUT OFF VALVE, MEANS REMOVABLY ATTACHING SAID COVER TO SAID HOUSING AND SAID CHAMBER WITH SAID WATER MIXING CHAMBER AND WITH SAID HOT WATER SHUT OFF VALVE IN SAID HOT WATER INLET AND WITH SAID COLD WATER SHUT OFF VALVE IN SAID COLD WATER INLET. 